Collapsible solution tray

ABSTRACT

A collapsible box like liquid retaining tray. The retaining tray is constructed for example from a cardboard blank which has a rectangular outline having pull panels or handles at the ends for easy stacking. The blank when manufactured into a collapsible tray in the collapsed position is again in the rectangular form for easy stacking and has the exposed pull panels or handles ready for easy grasping whereby the tray can be expanded or erected into a set-up position. The pull panels have notches and tabs which hold the sides of the tray in the expanded position against collapsing. The tray can be used in various institutional environments where a sterile tray is desired for handling various solutions and the like.

United States Patent [191 Tipton 1 COLLAPSIBLE SOLUTION TRAY William G.Tipton, St. Louis, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Cavalier Packaging Company, Inc.,

St. Louis, Mo.

[22] Filed: May 6, 1974 1211 Appl. No.: 466,989

[75] Inventor:

Persson 229/3 1 R [4 1 Sept. 16, 1975 Primary ExaminerDavis T. MoorheadAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Glenn K. Robbins l 5 7 ABSTRACT A collapsiblebox like liquid retaining tray. The retaining tray is constructed forexample from a cardboard blank which has a rectangular outline havingpull panels or handles at the ends for easy stacking. The blank whenmanufactured into a collapsible tray in the collapsed position is againin the rectangular form for easy stacking and has the exposed pullpanels or handles ready for easy grasping whereby the tray can beexpanded or erected into a set-up position. The pull panels have notchesand tabs which hold the sides of the tray in the expanded positionagainst collapsing. The tray can be used in various institutionalenvironments where a sterile tray is desired for handling varioussolutions and the like.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 1 51975 ETBUFZ FIGS FIGA

FIG.5

w The rectangular blan .1 l coLLAPsiBL-E SOLUTION T Y; D.iiiifiieisvwnoa- Pull panels 24 and 26 are connected by fold lines to the endsof the endpanels and are provided with a pair In the past various typesof collapsible. and expandable containers havebeenemployed. -Suchcontainers as typified by I have been constructed o f fairly complicatedblanks which are uneven in co n fi gurationand'in which the setuprequires some degree of experti By means of his nvention therebeen-provided aleak proof box "like, )lljIilOfl tray whichcaliEb'eeasily manufactured from a 'ubstantially re c'ta'iigular blank.nt'lsitself to easy and simple manufacture and facilt." ticking. Thetray "is adapted for use in various institutional environments suchhospitals, pharmacies chemical testing laboratories and the like wheresterile inexpensive tray like containers are desired for various typesof solutions.

In the use of this tray the blank is manufactured into a rectangularcollapsible tray in which a number of trays can be conveniently storedin a box or the like. When desired to be employed a collapsed tray-issimply pulled apart by grasping readily accessible pull panels. By meansof a biasing panel connecting the end and side panels of the tray thesides and the ends are caused to be erected vertically to a box likeposition. The pull panels are connected to the ends of the end panelsand have tabs or flanged which engage the outside of the side panels andlock them in place and prevent them from moving outwardly. Because ofafold line connecting the side panels with the bottom panel the sidepanels are urged into locking engagement against the extension tabs andthe tray presents a firmly erected box like structure for use in a leakproof environment.

The above features are objects of this invention and further objectswill appear in the detailed description which follows and will otherwisebe apparent to those skilled in the art.

For the purpose of illustration of this invention there is shown in theaccompanying drawings a prefered embodiment thereof. It is to beunderstood that these drawings are for the purpose of example only andthat the invention is not limited thereto.

In the Drawings:

FIG. I, is an enlarged pictorial view of the box like tray in theerected position.

FIG. 2, is a top plan view of the blank before it is cemented to formthe collapsed tray.

FIG. 3, is a top plan view of the tray in the collapsed position.

FIG. 4, is a pictorial view showing the position of a partially erectedtray after the pull panels have been pulled apart.

FIG. 5, is a pictorial view of the box turned 90 show- Lackhcim: U.S.Pat. 01: 3386x 44 of opposed extensionftab s 28 and These tabs define anintermediate slot 32 within which the tops ofthe side panelsiareretained-in bearing relation z' g'ainst the extension tabs 28, ,and 3 aswill more, fully. appear herein below. .l; a 1

.Biasing panels generally indicated by the refere nce numerals 34, 3A6,38 and 40 and adapted to connect the side and endpanels for automaticerection-preformed at the four corners ofithe blank, These panels areeach formed of a pairtriangular panels'afirst sucht riangular' panel 42being. connected ,to the side panel ll'6 by a ing a further stage oferection intermediate the positions shown in FIG. I, and FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The tray of this invention is generallyidentified by.

fold line and't'he second,triangul ar panel 44 being. connected to theend panel 20 by a fold -line and sepaf ted from the adjacent triangularpanel 42 by a common bias fold line 45. The panel 42 is provided with anadhesive whereby it may be cemented to the side panel 16 in themanufacture of the tray leaving panel 44 connected on the bias fold line45 to the side panel. In the manufacture of the tray from the blank 12shown in FIG. 1, the end panel 20 and bias panels 34 and 40 are simplyfolded over along the common fold lines at the end of the bottom panel14 and the side panels 16 and 18 in such a manner that the bias panels42 are cemented to the side panel 16 and 18. The pull panel or handle 26is bent backwardly so as to lay on top of the end panel 20. The otherend panel 22 and biasing panels 36 and 38 and pull panel 24 are thenformed in a similar fashion to present a collapsed tray in the positionshown in FIG. 3. This tray can be stacked conveniently because of itsflat rectangular nature. The tray is further ready for instant use withthe pull panels exposed for ready grasping by the user.

Use

The collapsed tray of FIG. 3, is simply erected when desired for use.The erection is effected by simply grasping the pull panles or handlesand pulling them apart. The bias panels connected between the end andside panels cause the side and end panels to assume the partiallyerected position as shown in FIG. 4. Further pulling apart of the pullpanels causes the side panels to follow the end panels in the verticalset-up position shown in FIG. 5. For final assembly the operator simplypresses the side panels together which may be facilitated by bending thepull panels downwardly in such a fashion that the tops or side panelsare forced at the end into the notch 32 in the relationship shown inFIG.

1. The extension tabs then hold the upper ends of the side panels inlocking engagement in the notch and the tray is ready for use.

The tray has on the exterior a simplified and neat appearance ascontinuous side and end panels are exposed. Thus no protruberances arepresent which might catch dirt or the like or accidently catch on anobject to cause damage of any type. The tray when erected is completelyleak proof and provides a simple and inexpensive means for containingvarious types of chemical or pharmaceutical solutions, specimens and thelike in a sterile package in which the interior of the tray is nottouched by the user.

What is claimed is:

l A collapsible box-like liquid retaining tray adapted to be erectedfrom a foldablc blank, said tray in the collapsed position comprising abottom panel, apair of end panels hingedly connectedto and overlyingopposite ends of said bottom panel; a pair of side panels hingedlyconnected to opposite sides of and lying in the same plane as saidbottom paneL biasing panels connecting one side of the end panels to anintermediate bias line'on the interior of the adjacent side panels ateach corner of the tray, a pair of pull panels hingedly connected to thetop of said end panels, said pull panels being operable upon beingpulled away from one another to cause the end panelsto assume an erectedposition andthrough the biasing' panels connecting the 4 end panels tothe side panels cause the slide panels to be pulled to the erticalposition and locking means on said pull panels engageable with said sidepanels to lock said panels together.

2. The trayof claim I. in which said locking means comprises extensiontabs on the end panels bearable.

1. A collapsible box-like liquid retaining tray adapted to be erectedfrom a foldable blank, Said tray in the collapsed position comprising abottom panel, a pair of end panels hingedly connected to and overlyingopposite ends of said bottom panel, a pair of side panels hingedlyconnected to opposite sides of and lying in the same plane as saidbottom panel, biasing panels connecting one side of the end panels to anintermediate bias line on the interior of the adjacent side panels ateach corner of the tray, a pair of pull panels hingedly connected to thetop of said end panels, said pull panels being operable upon beingpulled away from one another to cause the end panels to assume anerected position and through the biasing panels connecting the endpanels to the side panels cause the side panels to be pulled to thevertical position and locking means on said pull panels engageable withsaid side panels to lock said panels together.
 2. The tray of claim 1,in which said locking means comprises extension tabs on the end panelsbearable against the outside of the side panels and restraining saidside panels from outward movement.
 3. The tray of claim 1, in which theoutside surface of the side and end panels present a smooth anduninterrupted exterior surface when the tray is erected.
 4. The tray ofclaim 2, in which said extension tabs define a slot into which said sidepanels are interfitted.